Archive for Saturday, January 12, 2008

House Republicans unveil priorities

By Scott Rothschild

January 12, 2008

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Topeka — A back-to-school sales tax holiday, cracking down on illegal immigration and limited spending were among the top priorities unveiled Friday by House Republicans.

"There will be many tough decisions to make this year," said House Speaker Melvin Neufeld, R-Ingalls.

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, a Democrat, will unveil her agenda on Monday, the start of the legislative session.

In the House, Republicans hold a 78-47 edge over Democrats, but the GOP caucus is roughly split down the middle between so-called social conservatives and moderates.

Many of Neufeld's allies took turns during a news conference to introduce broad policy goals and some specifics.

One of the proposals would enact a brief period during the summer, possibly around the time of the primary elections in August, when Kansans could shop for school-related items and not have to pay sales taxes.

An estimated 18 states, including Missouri, have sales tax holidays, which generally exempt clothing purchases, computers and school supplies from the state sales tax.

The measure has been sought off and on, especially by Kansas retailers near the Missouri border.

House GOP leaders also intend to push for repealing the 2004 law that allows the children of some undocumented workers to pay the in-state tuition rate for higher education.

Under the law, the student must have lived in Kansas at least three years, graduated from a Kansas high school, and seek or promise to seek legal status.

Opponents of the law say it gives illegal immigrants an unfair benefit, while supporters say they deserve in-state tuition because they are residents of Kansas while they are seeking citizenship.

The GOP caucus also said it will introduce legislation to penalize employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants. Members also said they want to impose criminal penalties on illegal immigrants who register to vote and those who knowingly register an illegal immigrant to vote.

On the issue of health care, the caucus didn't endorse a proposed 50-cent per pack increase in the cigarette tax that has been proposed by health advocates.

Among other priorities for the House Republicans:

¢ Requiring a photo ID to vote.

¢ Holding state budget growth to 5 percent over current spending.

¢ Improving portability of health insurance coverage.

¢ Requiring Kansas Supreme Court justices to face Senate confirmation.

¢ Restructuring the corporate income tax.

¢ Developing a state energy policy.

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